Casting:
The Flex Phantom’s three
sizes each casts
differently due to both
the length of the lure
as well as the sheer
weight. The smallest
size weighs in at only
3/4oz and casts much
like a mid sized
crankbait. The medium
size is 4 ¾” and weighs
1 1/8oz and casts like a
large jerkbait, and is
both easy to fling far
and accurately. Only the
largest 6 ¾” size
actually feels like a
swimbait on the cast, as
it weighs a total of
3oz. Still at 3oz. this
bait can be cast by most
stout rods, and a true
swimbait stick is not
necessary though it is
desirable just in case
you get into a really
big fish and need the
head turning power.

All sizes
come with
one hook
positioned
right above
the tail

Retrieve: The Flex Phantom is all about the retrieve, and it is here that
the lure truly starts to separate itself from what is already out there. If you
are a Lucky Craft fan then you’re probably thinking this tail has been played
out with the Live Pointer, but the Phantom jointed tail really does come to life
aided by the realistic tail fin.

The lure's are feature the
signature of Strike Pro's corporate president Michael Tsai

All three sizes swim slightly different, and the bigger the
lure the more aggressively the lure snakes side to side, and when we say “snake”
we mean it. This isn’t one of those swimbaits that swims in a lifelike manner,
this lure is about triggering strikes. The tail screams look at me as it waves
back and forth not in a solid motion but a snaking action that starts at the
middle of the lure and moves all the way down the lure’s segments as it is
retrieved through the water. As the lure rocks side by side it actually flashes
thanks to an internal flash strip in the center of the lure's head.

This multi jointed tail is very
flexible and uses a patented "Bicycle Chain" construction which proved to be
very durable

Our
first strike on the Flex Phantom came on the mid sized Phantom 130 on Lake
Pardee. In the ultra clear water at Pardee I could see the Phantom slinking back
to the boat over a rocky point when I saw a fish dart in right behind the lure
no more than 15 feet from the boat. The smallmouth was about a two to three
pound fish from my vantage point, and it came in fast and made a solid hit right
on the tail section of the lure, I set and the fish was gone. Without any hook
on the tail the fish really has to T-Bone this lure and attacks from the rear
can result in short strikes. All of this was played out for me in the crystal
clear water at Pardee. I also wondered if the result of the mis-strike would
have been different if the fish had been a largemouth, as the smallie probably
couldn’t get his mouth around as much of the lure. Nonetheless a second hook
would have made the difference.

The diving lip hangs right below
the front of the lure rather than underneath the head like a wakebait

I hoped
that my next strike would result in a positive hookup, but I didn’t get any
other followers at Pardee. The next trip took us to Clear Lake where I fished
all three sizes. I spent a little over an hour tossing the Phantom 170 alongside
docks and over points without so much as a follower. The lure was able to
entertain however and even when you are not catching fish it is hard not to be
amused by the energetic tail whipping retrieve. I started playing with the
retrieve, burning it and slowing it down and even jerking it with short rod pops
more like a jerkbait. The Flex Phantom may be named Flex for the lure’s tail but
that Flex can also stand for “flexible” retrieve. This is one hybrid lure that
can be fished like a swimbait, crank, or jerkbait. On pauses I found the lure
would actually dive down and even turn quickly to the side.